Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(20)

When Uzuri looked blank, Josie snickered. “I still remember my first year of motherhood. I would have done anything to have a few free hours.”

“Exactly.” Linda smiled. “Mine are in college, but I can still remember the horror—and delight—of a newborn.”

When Josie ducked back behind the bar, Master Sam pointed her toward a patiently waiting barmaid. “Handle her tickets. I’ll finish up the orders I’ve taken.”

“Right. Thank you.” As she checked the drink tickets, Linda and Uzuri settled onto barstools across the bar and kept talking about Ben and footwear.

Uzuri was enthusiastic. “I’m a great babysitter, and I have fantastic shoes he hasn’t let me wear here.”

Josie grinned. “I’ll have to remember that about Ben. It’s good to know who will take bribes.”

“Isn’t it though?” Linda pointed to Master Sam. “For example, that mean-looking bartender there? I hear he bribes real easily.”

Josie stared. Was the woman crazy? The guy carried a whip. “Uh, Linda?”

Master Sam growled under his breath, leaned across the bar, and buried a fist in Linda’s shoulder-length hair. She let out a yip of surprise as he yanked her toward him and took her mouth. There was no gentleness in that kiss. It was all domination.

Linda didn’t struggle. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

Josie’s jaw dropped.

Uzuri met her gaze, grinned, and fanned herself.

No lie, that was one hot kiss. Whew. The temperature in the entire bar area was rising. Josie retreated down the bar, checking for empty glasses or new customers. She picked up a couple of empties and put them on the cart for the cleaning lady.

Returning, she averted her gaze from Master Sam and Linda and asked Uzuri, “Would you like a drink?”

“A strawberry margarita, please.” Uzuri’s eyes were dancing. “They’re together, you know—Linda and Master Sam. He doesn’t just grab women. Well, not kissing-grabbing them, only it’s smart to be polite around him because he’s really good with that whip, and he has hard hands if he’s not pleased with something you’ve done. I couldn’t sit down for a day after he…”

Her voice trailed off when she saw Josie shake her head slightly. The submissive glanced over her shoulder and saw the eavesdropping sadist. “Oh. Oops.”

Linda had a hand over her mouth, and her shoulders shook with laughter.

Cautiously, Josie assessed Master Sam. His mouth was straight, yet the crinkles beside his eyes showed his amusement. Well, okay then.

He nodded to Josie. “If you’re back, I’ll get my bag and give the redhead a lesson in manners.” He glanced at Linda. “Right, missy?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Rather than looking terrified, Linda slid right off the barstool. “Where to, Sir?”

Master Sam picked up a hefty leather bag from the far section of the bar. “The dungeon. Z roped off the room for single-tails.”

Cullen had mentioned the “dungeon” was a separate room down a hall. Josie’d heard snapping sounds coming from that direction all night. And screams…don’t forget the screams. Her mouth was dry as she set Uzuri’s drink in front of her.

As Master Sam left the bar, he paused. “You’re doin’ a fine job, girl.” Without waiting for her answer, he put an arm behind Linda’s back and herded her toward the rear of the building.

“That is a very scary person,” Josie said under her breath. Nevertheless, she felt a warm glow. She had a feeling compliments from that guy were hard won.

“You should see him with that whip,” Uzuri said. “I’m no masochist, and I never want someone to hurt me like that, but watching him turns me on like you wouldn’t believe.”

“He’ll whip her. Hurt her.” Josie shook her head. After a second, she remembered the question she’d been planning to ask. “As long as you’re here, what’s wrong with Holt? I noticed—” She stopped abruptly, noticing the southern, suit-wearing Dom—Master Marcus—had returned.

“Josie, I’m relieving you for a half hour. You take yourself a break now and get off your feet.” He nodded to the front corner. “There’s some fine food over there.”

She realized she totally needed to pee. “Awesome, thank you!”

As she slipped through the bar flap, she grinned at Uzuri. “I’m going to visit the ladies’ room and then will you visit with me for a bit?”

Uzuri pointed to the corner. “I’ll find us food and a table.”

A few minutes later, Josie found Uzuri in the munchie corner with Max. Josie dropped into a seat, considered, and put her legs up on an adjacent chair. Her feet seemed to give a happy sigh.

Max smiled. “Sore feet?”

“Always.” She glanced at the people still around the bar. One was naked. One on a leash. “This sure isn’t like any bartending job I’ve had before.”

Uzuri laughed and handed over a bottle of sparkling water.

Grinning, the big cop pushed a plate across the table. “Zuri got you food.”

“Thanks, Uzuri.” Josie picked up a stuffed mushroom. “I’m starving.”

As she chewed, she studied Uzuri’s Dom. Max was dressed much like Holt. All in black—jeans, boots, heavy leather belt, and a tight T-shirt. He’d pulled his shoulder-length brown hair back in a tie. His masculine good looks with the square jaw and high cheekbones reminded her of Holt, too. Max was…powerful, with solidly packed muscles. If he was a hero in her books, she’d make him a sword-fighter. Considering Holt’s steely, rippling muscles and how he moved with such breathtakingly, deadly grace, she’d give him knives—lots of finely balanced, lethal knives.